worried that Beard, Ariza and Gordon going to get worn out. Harden is nursing an ankle, Gordon has injury history and Ariza historically plays worse as team goes deeper in playoffs. All 3 averaging more than 33 mins a game, Ariza averaging more than 38 mins. Williams can provide some energy and D a few minutes here and there allowing Lou or Gordon to run show when Harden sits, or give Ariza a breather defending opposing teams best offensive player. Let Troy body/foul Kawahi instead of Gordon or Harden.
Resting guys mid-playoffs is a luxury afforded to very few teams and I don't think we're one of them. Even for a few minutes a game. Yeah, if we take a twelve-point lead into the fourth, then sure, give Troy a couple minutes pursuant to holding the lead. But we're underdogs for the next three series. Winning each game has to be the sole focus. If Ariza and Harden keel over from exhaustion in the NBA Finals and cost us the title, that would be a substantially more successful season than what 99% of NBA fans would expect us to have from this moment.
It amazes me the way NBA Headcoaches think!! Like Troy Williams being in the game 8-10 minutes is going to mess up the Rockets flow on Offense or Defense.....How STUPID! It's not like we are a playing like a well Oiled Machine, we are getting out rebounded and shooting below 30% from 3-pt range. You would think at some point MDA or an Assistant Coach is thinking, since we are not playing well, let's give another player a chance, let's expand our bench and give players additional rest or let's bring in an additional player with length to help with rebounding, or let's get Troy Williams some playing time, because we know the next round is going to be harder. KNOW IF THAT CROSSED MDA'S MIND.....MAKE THE ADJUSTMENTS
Agreed but I think we can keep it to 5. Just want to give Ariza 5 minutes when the other team's best wing rests.
Spurs could go 9 deep with Parker, Mills Manu, Green Kawhi LA, Lee Gasol, Dedmon We're looking at Wolverine, Williams Harden, Gordon Ariza, Anderson Capela, Nene The trouble is going to be when Lee plays. We saw it during the season that Lee is a bundle to deal with because his shooting, passing and dribbling are a threat. We cannot let him score against our bench at will. Ariza will have his hands full with covering starters. Who from the bench will be able to handle Lee? Dekker? Harrell? We will have to rely on one of the two. I thought about "What if we play Nene against Lee? And play Harrell at the C or Dekker at the C?" Lee can play along side Dedmon, Gasol, or LA. Nene would be able to move around on Dedmon, maybe even Gasol or LA. The downside to that is if Nene is playing close, we need a perimeter threat, and Anderson, maybe Arizahave to be that threat. Parker/Bev Green/Harden Kawhi/Ariza Lee/Nene Dedmon/Harrell? Dekker? Unless Harrel/Dekker start making shots from the outside, they are going to clog the lanes and no one will be able to create on drive'n kick. If we put Harden on Lee, then we can leverage the number of guards we have against the number of forwards they have. The problem with that is going to be the energy level of our guards having to chase Parker/Mills/Green/Manu through all those screens SA sets. Bzdelick will earn my utmost respect if we can keep the Spurs bench from beating us up inside and pushing any leads we get. Houston needs to keep those 3PTA numbers up this round. 3 > 2, and Lee Dat's my analysis #runasone
Disappointed MDA is not allowing Troy to play. Feel like he could help out there and I trust his shot over Dekker's at this point. MDA sticking stubbornly to this short rotation won't get the team that far as the playoffs progress.
MDA is known for short rotations even in the regular season. This goes back to his Phoenix years. He isn't going to change now.
Agreed. Troy needs to spell Ariza on K. Leonard. I'd like to see a little of Ariza at the 4 and Troy Williams at the 3 if Ryan Anderson's shot remains broke. Sam Dekker can't defend as well as Troy.
I hate to break it to you guys, but right now Troy Williams sucks. He might get better next year. But we're in the middle of the playoffs and don't have time to develop guys. It boggles my mind that you guys think an amazing coach like MDA is missing something and that's why he's not playing Troy Williams. This isn't Bickerstaff we're talking about. Those of you pining for Williams better just hope Dekker gets back asap and can contribute.
I think that Dekker, if he returns, is the better playoff prospect. That dude is huge for a SF and can make some hustle plays as a small ball 4 along with Big Dick Gordon and Sweet Lou. Troy Williams may be the better long term prospect, but I'd trust Dekker to contribute more in a playoff game also because the latter has had more experience with this group and the coaching staff.
